Any person, even an atheist, may have a situation when he needs to go to church and attend the service. In order not to offend the feelings of believers and not to show yourself as a person of low culture, you will need to follow the rules and meet the requirements for the appearance and behavior of parishioners.
Instructions
Step 1
There are special rules for women who are going to attend church services. All of them must enter an Orthodox church with their heads covered with headscarves or scarves and wearing skirts below the knees. Hands should also be covered. Men, on the other hand, are supposed to take off their hats when entering the church. If you are on the road and cannot change your clothes, when entering many churches, you will find boxes containing scarves and wrap-around skirts. Put them on and, going out, take them off and fold them neatly, put them back. When you are about to go to the service, remove makeup from your face; some strict priests can make a remark when they see bright varnish on the nails.
Step 2
In churches, services are held three times a day. You can freely enter and go through to pray, put candles to any icon, only if there is no service. When you specifically intend to attend a service, show up early, enter the temple before it begins, and take an empty seat. Do not forget to turn off your mobile phone before doing this. You should not go ahead of those who have already gathered in anticipation of her. Stand up calmly, do not go from place to place, do not turn your head, looking for acquaintances. Prepare to stand for two to three hours.
Step 3
For those who find it difficult to stand all the time, benches can be placed against the walls. Use them only if you are very tired. When the royal gates are opened, all the parishioners must stand. You cannot turn your back on the altar. To leave the temple during the service, turn sideways and quietly, without attracting attention, exit.
Step 4
You need to behave calmly in the church service, without attracting attention. Try not to talk to anyone, answer the question in an undertone. When the time comes to kiss the icon, there should be no lipstick on the lips. Apply to her corner or the edge of the clothing of the saint depicted on the icon.
Step 5
Introduce the rules of conduct for older children attending church for the first time. In the event that you have a small child with you, do not allow him to run and make noise. With a crying baby, it is better to leave the temple, picking him up.
